If your clients say they're tired of looking at the same old tiles in their kitchen, or are perhaps bored with their plain white bathroom, why not suggest that they revamp their home and inject a subtle hint of colour with Glacier from Lustrolite?more

British Ceramic Tile's latest addition to the ArTile collection showcases one of Ted's signature prints - Flight of the Orient. Transporting homeowners into a far-flung paradise, the newest splashbacks are heavily influenced by the Orient, with exotic birds and blossom trees being married with a soft palette of blues and pinks.more

Tilemaster Adhesives has developed a new neutral-cure formulation for its popular range of silicones. New Silicone 3000+ now provides a premium anti-mould solution that can be used with acid-sensitive stone, as well as porcelain and ceramics. Other improved features include enhanced adhesion properties and increased flexibility. The new formulation is now also available in 14 shades, to colour-match Tilemaster's extended Grout 3000 range.more

Sanipex Group UK, distributor of quality bathroom brands including Bagnodesign, Galassia and Bossini, showcased the latest designs was home to new ranges in Bagnodesign's sanitaryware and brassware collections.more

Trend Interiors created a stir with its largest stand ever, as it launched three major collections of worktops, media furniture and sliding wardrobes as well as additions to the kitchens, bathrooms and fitted bedroom ranges.more

Showcasing its commitment to 'smart surfaces and clever ideas' Bushboard's stand had four dedicated kitchen zones showing the depth and breadth of its portfolio of premium Prima and Omega laminate and pioneering installer-ready Encore solid surface and M-Stone quartz worksurfaces, offering retailers a choice of products to meet all design needs and price points.more

In a strategic move to strengthen it base in the mid-to-value end of the market and expand its retail following, Carron Phoenix used the show to launch a reinvigorated offer for its Carron Centre partnerships as well as display some new ranges.more

Luxury kitchens demand luxury touches and Pronorm demonstrated its ability to offer just that with the launch of its impeccable new Pro-Tech drawer box system available in a choice of titan aluminium and oak finishes.more

You know when the presenter's really, really passionate about their subject matter, don't you? Renowned designer Robin Levien (pictured below right) is just one of those people. John and I agree that we could listen to him talk about the whys and wherefores of the design concept all day, so who better to present Ideal Standard's new collections than Robin himself?more

The Cosentino Group launched its exciting new Dekton XGloss line of surfaces, whilst also previewing its new Silestone and Dekton colours, alongside the recently launched Sensa Exotic range, from a stand that seemed to be continually busy.more

Tapping into the trend for apartment living and industrial-style finishes in the contemporary kitchen, Caesarstone used KBB to showcase Raw Concrete, a new colour in its best-selling Classico worktop collection, as well as other new ranges and colours.more

Sensio launched a number of new lighting and power solution innovations at the show. These included the Midway V1 hanging rail system, new wireless charging pads, new SensioPod R and the new Multi-Light App. John particularly liked the bed, which appeared to be floating, as our picture shows...more

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John and I have been at an exhibition in Manchester for the past couple of days and we commented on both legs of the journey to and from the far south-eastern edge of England on how stressful it must be for those who have to travel regularly for work.

Not so tradespeople though!

Over 90% of tradespeople are happy in their jobs, with the majority putting it down to the flexibility of mobile working, new research has found – and of course, with this type of work, travel to and from the workplace is a must.

The study, which was conducted by IronmongeryDirect, found that 91% of mobile working tradesmen are happy in their jobs, with 50% of these claiming they are very happy.

Tradesmen stated that flexible working (61%) and increased productivity (28%) were the biggest benefits of mobile working. In fact, a massive 98% of tradesmen said they were happy with the amount of flexibility their job provides.

When asked what they enjoy most about mobile working, the majority (62%) said they liked having flexibility over the hours they work. 42% also took satisfaction in the fact they are trusted to do their job independently.

Some tradesmen prefer mobile working over being confined to an office as 23% said it helps them to work better as there are fewer distractions than in an office environment, and a fifth said it ensures they don’t get caught up in office politics. In fact, 16% said mobile working helps them to work with their team more easily.

The report also found that nearly four fifths of trade professionals (79%) believe that mobile working adds to productivity and improves their job performance.

All I can say is, while they may earn very well out of this type of work, if they have to deal with the stress caused by sitting in heavy traffic for ages every day to get to their contracts – rather them than me!

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association, organiser of the Bathroom & Kitchen Business Conference 2016, has announced the host and the first of its seven speakers for the day-long event.

Sophie Long (Host) is one of the main presenters on the BBC News Channel and the 8pm Summary on BBC1. She has covered many big stories and can regularly be found anchoring the channel's output on location, covering anything from weather storms to political storms and four general election campaigns.more

As announced as breaking news last week, on 1st April 2016 Norcros, leading supplier of innovative branded showers, taps, bathroom accessories, tiles and adhesives, announced its acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Abode Home Products for a total of £4.8m. more

Having found the house of their dreams in a quiet North London street, Marcelle and Robert Schogger decided to extend to create a spacious kitchen and dining area. They were determined that steel windows should be the key architectural feature of their project and, with this in mind, they appointed Steel Window Association member, Steel Window Service & Supplies, to supply and install a large window and door screen.

Robert Schogger, a director of a managed office provider, designed the 300sq.ft extension and project-managed the build. The couple had first seen steel windows featured in a magazine a few years earlier and knew they fitted in with their desire to achieve a classic look within their early 1900s house.more

With many households across the country in the process of a spring clean, it was Kensington & Chelsea that led all regions in Great Britain for home improvement planning applications in the last year.

The home improvement report, compiled by construction industry analyst Barbour ABI, shows that Kensington & Chelsea had 7.3 applications for every 100 homes in the area last year, compared to the average of two out of 100 across Britain.more

In early March, Liebherr introduced its groundbreaking Blu Performance Premium range of cooling appliances to the UK market with an exciting launch at the remarkable Mercedes World in Brooklands, Weybridge in Surrey.

Liebherr presented its latest pioneering developments in refrigeration technology to almost 200 attending kitchen retailers, electrical retailers and distributors with a series of presentations and an opportunity to 'get up close and personal' with a vast array of models from within this new Blu Performance category. Attendees also enjoyed lunch and a guided tour around the superb Mercedes World facility.more

A new report by the UK's authority on water efficiency, Waterwise, has found that despite more of us than ever making a conscious effort to save water, Britain unconsciously remains a nation of 'water wasters'.

The 2016 Water Saving Report, which was commissioned by British bathroom manufacturer Ideal Standard, aims to observe water-usage habits in UK households in order to monitor water efficiency behaviours.more

Porcelanosa has specified FILA's award-winning surface care regime for all of its new build projects. As part of the National Housebuilder specification, Fila Deterdek will be used to clean all Porcelanosa kitchen and bathroom surfaces prior to handover.

A Fila care and maintenance regime will then be recommended to all new homeowners, for the ongoing maintenance and care of porcelain surfaces.more

Screwfix is once again launching the nation's top competition for tradespeople - Britain's Top Tradesperson 2016, but what trade will top the table this year?

The competition launches on 9th May, and previous winners have included plumbers, joiners and electricians. Do you or any of your staff have what it takes to stand up for your trade across the nation to ensure this year's winner works in your field?more

Karonia has introduced a new consumer brochure to showcase the colours, features and benefits of the Mistral range of 25mm solid surface worktops.

Designed to demonstrate the unlimited potential of this versatile, enhanced acrylic worktop, the 24 page brochure uses stunning real-life imagery to show how Mistral has been used creatively in a variety of kitchen environments.more

Hoover Candy Baumatic has appointed Bill Simpson as head of contract sales for all three brands. Formerly sales director, contracts, for the BSH Group, Bill brings with him an in-depth knowledge of the housebuilding market with a wide range of senior contacts in this arena.more

Lecico Bathrooms has appointed Adam Lay as retail channel marketing executive. Adam joined Lecico in 2012 as marketing assistant after completing a Marketing Management degree at Northampton University followed by a period working with Travis Perkins and a role in China.more

Abacus Manufacturing Group has raised over £4,000 for Saint Michael's Hospice in Harrogate thanks to a team of 11 brave Abacus employees.

The team took to the skies and completed two skydives in February and March for a cause that was close to everyone's hearts. Saint Michael's Hospice provides palliative care services to the Harrogate community and has been a vital source of care and support for many people close to the Abacus team.more

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